Atacand

PATIENT INFORMATION

ATACAND®
(at-a-cand)
(candesartan cilexetil) Tablets

Read the Patient information
that comes with ATACAND before you start taking it and each time you get a
refill. There may be new information. This leaflet does not take the place of
talking with your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. If you
have any questions about ATACAND, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

What is the most important
information I should know about ATACAND?

ATACAND can cause harm or
death to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor about other ways to lower your
blood pressure if you plan to become pregnant. If you get pregnant while taking
ATACAND, tell your doctor right away.

treat certain types of heart failure in adults, to reduce
death and hospitalization for heart damage and heart failure

Heart failure is a condition
where the heart does not pump blood as well as it should.

ATACAND must not be used in
children less than 1 year of age for high blood pressure.

Who should not take ATACAND?

Do not take ATACAND if you:

are allergic to any of the ingredients in ATACAND. See
the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in ATACAND.

are diabetic and taking aliskiren.

What should I tell my doctor
before taking ATACAND?

Before you take ATACAND,
tell your doctor if you:

have heart problems

have liver problems

have kidney problems

currently have vomiting or diarrhea

are scheduled for surgery or anesthesia. Low blood
pressure can happen in people who take ATACAND and have major surgery and
anesthesia.

have any other medical conditions

are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. See “What is the most important information I should know about ATACAND?”

are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. It is not known if ATACAND passes into your breast milk. You and your doctor
should decide if you will take ATACAND or breast-feed. You should not do both.

Tell your doctor about all
the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines,
vitamins and herbal supplements. ATACAND and other medicines may affect each
other causing serious side effects. ATACAND may affect the way other medicines
work, and other medicines may affect how ATACAND works.

Know the medicines you take.
Keep a list of your medications with you to show your doctor and pharmacist
when a new medication is prescribed. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before
you start taking any new medicine. Your doctor or pharmacist will know what
medicines are safe to take together.

How should I take ATACAND?

Take ATACAND exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Do not change your dose or stop ATACAND without talking
to your doctor, even if you are feeling well.

If your child cannot swallow tablets, or if tablets are
not available in the prescribed strength, your pharmacist will prepare ATACAND
as a liquid suspension for your child. If your child switches between taking
the tablet and the suspension, your doctor will change the dose as needed. Shake
the bottle of suspension well before each dose.

ATACAND is taken by mouth with or without food.

If you miss a dose of ATACAND, take it as soon as you
remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take
the next dose on time. Do not take 2 doses at one time. If you are not sure
about your dosing call your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more ATACAND than prescribed, call your
doctor, local poison control center, or go to the nearest emergency room.

What should I avoid while
taking ATACAND?

ATACAND can cause you to feel
dizzy or tired. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous
activities until you know how ATACAND affects you.

What are the possible side
effects of ATACAND?

ATACAND may cause serious
side effects, including:

Injury or death to your unborn baby. See “What is the
most important information I should know about ATACAND?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist
about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the side
effects of ATACAND. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical
advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.

How should I store ATACAND?

Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no
longer need.

Store ATACAND Tablets at room temperature below 86°F
(30°C).

Store ATACAND oral suspension at room temperature below
86°F (30°C).

Use the oral suspension within 30 days after first opening
the bottle. Do not use after the expiration date stated on the bottle.

Do not freeze.

Keep the container of ATACAND closed tightly.

Keep ATACAND and all
medicine out of the reach of children.

General information about
ATACAND.

Medicines are sometimes
prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information
leaflets. Do not use ATACAND for a condition for which it was not prescribed.
Do not give ATACAND to other people, even if they have the same problem you
have. It may harm them.

This leaflet summarizes the
most important information about ATACAND. If you would like more information,
talk with your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information
about ATACAND that is written for health professionals.

For more information, go to
www.atacand-us.com or call 1 800-236-9933.

In addition to the above,
ATACAND oral suspension also includes the following inactive ingredients: Ora
Plus, Ora Sweet or Ora-Blend.

How does ATACAND work?

ATACAND is a type of medicine
called angiotensin receptor blocker, which blocks the effect of the hormone
angiotensin II, causing the blood vessels to relax. This helps lower blood
pressure. Medicines that lower your blood pressure lower your chance of having
a stroke or heart attack.

This Patient Information has
been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Last reviewed on RxList: 2/20/2015
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.